Now in its fifth year, theBusinessGreen Leaders Awardscelebrates leading businesses, executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and campaigners from across the green economy, highlighting how they are driving the emergence of innovative and sustainable new business models and technologies.
Desso, shortlisted for the Waste and Recycling category, has showcased its innovative development of a new Cradle to Cradle® material stream to support its ongoing commitment to the circular economy.
A more sustainable alternative
Through collaborative development with local water companies, Desso discovered a more sustainable alternative to purchasing calcium carbonate, a material used as a stabilizer in its carpet tiles. The processes for softening water (making it suitable for drinking and for use in home appliances) produces a residue of calcium carbonate. The challenge then was to develop a way to prepare this material in the right form for Desso's processes. In collaboration with Restoffenunie, a collective shared service centre of the Dutch Water Supply Companies, Desso found an innovative way to upcycle re-engineered calcium carbonate into Desso's carpet tiles. The award entry shows how Desso shifted to using the residual stream of calcium carbonate from local water producers instead of purchasing it from mining companies in France.
“We are delighted that our commitment to developing healthy Cradle to Cradle® material streams is being recognised in this way. It demonstrates the power of cross-industry collaboration and innovation in paving the way for better and more sustainable supply chains and products.”
Roland Jonkhoff, Managing Director Desso
Desso is the first carpet company in the world to use the upcycled calcium carbonate and expects eventually to draw as much as 20,000 tonnes of chalk from this source per year. Already, in the first year, it will receive 10,000-12,000 tonnes via this route - over half of its total needs.
Finalists for the BusinessGreen Leaders awards will be announced on 1st July in London (http://events.businessgreen.com/leadersawards/static/home).
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